Laparoscopic deschamp and associated suturing technique

A method for performing a suturing procedure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a laparoscopic trocar sleeve and a laparoscopic suturing device, said suturing device including an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and an arcuate tissue piercing element permanently fixed to said shaft at said distal end, said tissue piercing element lying in a plane disposed substantially transversely to said shaft, said tissue piercing element being provided at a free end, spaced from said shaft, with entrainment means for entraining a suture thread, said device having a suture thread extending to said entrainment means;
• disposing said laparoscopic trocar sleeve in a patient so that a distal end portion of said sleeve projects into a body cavity of the patient;
• inserting a distal end portion of said suturing device through said trocar sleeve and into the body cavity of the patient;
• turning said shaft in one direction to insert said tissue piercing element with a first end portion of said suture thread into internal tissues of the patient, a second end portion of said suture thread being disposed outside the patient;
• upon completion of said step of turning, grasping said first end portion of said suture thread;
• upon grasping of said first end portion of said suture thread, turning said shaft in a direction opposite said one direction to remove said tissue piercing element from said internal tissues;
• removing said suturing device and said first end portion of said suture thread from the body cavity of the patient through said trocar sleeve;
• tying said first end portion and said second end portion of said suture thread to one another to form a knot outside the patient;
• and
• sliding said knot back through said trocar sleeve into the body cavity of the patient.

A method of performing a suturing procedure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a laparoscopic trocar sleeve and a laparoscopic suturing device, said suturing device including an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and an arcuate tissue piercing element permanently fixed to said shaft at said distal end, said tissue piercing element lying in a plane disposed substantially transversely to said shaft, said tissue piercing element being provided at a free end, spaced from said shaft, with entrainment means for entraining a suture thread, said device having a suture thread extending to said entrainment means;
• disposing said laparoscopic trocar sleeve in a patient so that a distal end portion of said sleeve projects into a body cavity of the patient;
• inserting a distal end portion of said suturing device through said trocar sleeve and into the body cavity of the patient;
• turning said shaft in one direction to insert said tissue piercing element with a first end portion of said suture thread into internal tissues of the patient, a second end portion of said suture thread being disposed outside the patient;
• inserting a distal end portion of a laparoscopic grasper through an additional trocar sleeve into the body cavity of the patient;
• upon completion of said step of turning, manipulating said grasper to grasp said first end portion of said suture thread;
• upon grasping of said first end portion of said suture thread, turning said shaft in a direction opposite said one direction to remove said tissue piercing element from said internal tissues;
• removing said suturing device and said first end portion of said suture thread from the body cavity of the patient through said trocar sleeve;
• tying said first end portion and said second end portion of said suture thread to one another to form a knot outside the patient;
• and
• sliding said knot back through said trocar sleeve into the body cavity of the patient.